Press



R. E. BRUMBACH May 3, 1955 PRESS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25. 1951 ia'lULi jLJLlL/J FIG.I.

- INVENTOR Robert E. Brumbuch f 12 m ATTORNEYS May 3, 1955 R. E. BRUMBACH 297079307 PRESS Filed 001;- 25, 1,951

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4.

FTifs;

, INVENTOR Robert E. Brumboch ATTORNEYS PRESS Robert E. Brumhach, Mantua, Ohio, assignor to Samuel Moore & Co., Mantna, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application Gctober 25, 1951, Serial N 253,153

9 Claims. (CI. 18-46) This invention relates to a molding apparatus and more particularly to a hydraulically operated ram press for performing molding operations.

In the operation of conventional molding apparatus utilizing a hydraulic ram press, the ram is usually centrally disposed relative to one of the platens and applies a conmust be given to these factors which require a heavy and I bulky press construction, particularly where the object operated on is large in size.

It is an object of this invention to provide a press construction which, during operation, uniformly distributes the pressure throughout the entire area of the mating platens so that the pressure at the external mating edges is substantially the same as at any intermediate area of the mating platens.

Another object of this invention is to provide a press having a light construction which may be simply assembled and built to any size or capacity at a low cost.

A further object of this invention is to combine a plurality of standard structural members into a light weight press construction with a minimum of heavy equipment design and engineering.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a light weight press construction having a self-contained hydraulic lift for setting the press for operation and for separating the press after operation.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of ..1

a hydraulically operated ram press having a substantially uniform distribution of applied pressure throughout the entire area of the mating platens which enables a light weight construction from standard structural members which may be readily assembled and disassembled for operation at dilferent locations.

Briefly, the foregoing objects are obtained in accord ance with this invention by providing a press having a fixed platen and a movable platen supported on a rigid frame for movement towards and away from the fixed platen along a common axis. The mating surface of each platen is preferably provided with electrical thermal units and an electrical control to heat the platens to the desired molding temperature. The fixed platen carries a plurality of hydraulic ram means in spaced relation from each other and the common axis which detachably cooperate with arms carried by the movable platen in corresponding spaced relation from each other and the common axis to move the movable platen towards mating relation with the fixed platen. A hydraulic fluid supply is connected inparallel with each of the rams for uniform application of pressure at each of the spaced positions on States Patent 2,707,307 Patented May 3, 1955 the mating platens. The application of like pressure at spaced positions on the mating platens uniformly distributes the press action throughout the entire platen areas and enables a light weight press construction wherein each platen and a support are formed from a plurality of interconnected standard structural members operably disposed to form a rigid frame which can easily with stand the uniform distribution of pressure loads and stresses. There may also be provided an overhead hoist or a self-contained hydraulic lift for separating the movable platen from the fixed platen including a cam guide for detaching the arms from the hydraulic rams when hydraulic pressure is released from the rams and the hoist or hydraulic lift separates the platens.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates the hydraulically operated ram press of this invention in conjunction with a hoist for separating the platens; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the press of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 in Fig. 1; Figs. 4 and 5 are partial sectional views illustrating the interlocking engagement between the hydraulic rams and cooperating pivot arms of the press; Figs. 6 and 7 are front and side views of the cam arrangement which guides the swinging movement of the pivoted arms to detach the arms from the rams; Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of the hydraulic supply and feed system for the press and Figs. 9 and 10 are front and side elevations of the hydraulically operated ram press including a self-contained lift for the upper platen.

Referring now to Fig. I, there is shown the hydraulically operated ram press of this invention as constructed from a plurality of interconnected standard structural members which, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, may comprise structural steel I-beams interconnected together to form a support 10, a lower fixed platen 20, and an upper movable platen 30. The fixed support 10 is formed by securing a plurality of upstanding structural I-beams together in spaced rectangular relation through suitable floor plates 12 at the lower end and connecting plates 13 at the upper end. The I-beams may be secured together by welding or in any other well-known manner and may, if desired, be modified and strengthened by further interconnection of diagonal truss members on the vertical sides. Suitable mechanism is provided for moving the upper platen 30 towards and away from the lower platen along a common vertical axis.

The lower platen 20 is also formed by assembling a plurality of structural Lbeams 21 in parallel relation with their Webs upright to form a flat horizontal platen surface. The beams are shown connected by meansof a through-bolt 22 extending through adjacent webs. The platen 20 thus formed may be supported on a base 25 formed from interconnected metal plates which is further strengthened on the pressure absorbing sides of the common vertical axis by means of triangular reinforcing plates 26. The base 25 supports hydraulically operated rams on opposite sides of the common vertical axis through the platens. Each of the rams 40 are disposed in spaced relation from each other and from the com.- mon axis at each corner of the base 25.

The hydraulic rams 40 each include a cooperating cylinder 41 and piston 42 which moves downwardly from the base 25 under the action of hydraulic pressure within the cylinder 41. The lower extremity of the pistons 42 carry channel-shaped members 43 having their open ends facing outwardly from the respective sides of the supporting base 25. Suitable hydraulic fluid conduits 45 and 46 connect each of the ram cylinders 41 to a common source of hydraulic fluid supply (Fig. 2) as will be hereinafter more fully described in connection with Fig. 8 of the drawings.

The upper platen .30 is constructed by interconnecting a plurality of structural I-bearns 31 in parallel relation to form an upper platen surface in a manner similar to the lower platen. The interconnected l-bearns are in turn secured as a unit to transversely disposed l bearns 35 which are reinforced by metallic plates 36 within the Web at the points of pressure stress in the resulting frame structure. The lower platen 2%) has upstanding fixed guide rods disposed on each side of the lower platen which enter suitable guides 51 extending from the corresponding sides of the upper platen 39 so that the upper platen Stl issli'dable along the rods towards or away from the lower platen 20 depending upon the nature and direction of force applied. The base 25, platens 2t) and 3h, transverse l-oeams 35, and guide rods 50 form a rigid lightweight press frame of standard structural members.

A plurality of rigid arms 69 are carried on corresponding opposite sides of the common axis on the top transverse members 35 through suitable pivotal connections L 65". The arms 69 are interconnected in parallel pairs to the corresponding pivotal connections at the top' and through cross members 66 at the bottom to form a plurality of rigid rectangular frames whose cross members 66 at the bottom extend in the inward position of the arm 60 below the base and into substantial alignment with the open end of the corresponding channel members 43 carried by the hydraulic pistons 42. There are four such pairs of interconnected arms, two on each side of the upper platen, and each pair is pivoted at an end of a corresponding pair of transverse I-beams for coaction with a corresponding hydraulic ram 40.

When the upper platen is lifted and not under pressure, these rigidly interconnected parallel arms swing outwardly from the side of the press on their pivotal substantial vertical alignment with the corresponding ram pistons 42. As hydraulic pressure is applied to each of the pistons 42, the upper leg 44 of each of the channel members 43 engages the corresponding cross member 66 on each parallel pair of arms and moves the arms downwardly in the direction of piston motion. This downward motion is translated through the arms 60 to the upper platen 35) which is guided along the supporting rods towards the lower platen 20 to accomplish the desired press action in response to the hydraulic pressure applied to the rams.

It is only necessary that the arms 6!) swing outwardly from the sides of the press sufiicient to allow the interconnecting cross members'66 to clear the corresponding channel members and the base 25 on each side of the press. Accordingly, there has been provided metallic cam guide surfaces 70 on each side of the lower platen 20 which guide the arms 66) outwardly during the initial lifting action of the upper platen 30 from the lower platen. The cam surfaces 70 are designed to thereafter maintain the arms at a distance from the sides of the base 25 sufficient to clear such base and yet prevent further outward swinging movement of the arms. This arrangement limits the lifting force necessary as well as reduces the space required for the press.

The inner adjacent arms, of. each interconnected parallel pair of arms, are provided with brackets 71 rotatably supporting roller members 72 which follow the cam guiding surface 70 as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Since the outer arms of each pair are rigidly interconnected at the top and bottom ends to the inner arms, the entire rectangular structure of each pair of arms is guided upwardly and outwardly along the cam surface 70 in the desired direction. The normal weight of the arms keeps the roller members 72 in engagement with the cam surface and allows the respective interconnected arms to drop down in engagement with the corresponding tit) channel members 42 on the rams 46 when the lifting force is released or reversed on the upper platen.

In the press illustrated in the drawings, the upper and lower platens are provided with die plates 8% and 31 respectively, each of which have thermal heating units Jhich preferably are in the form of electrical heating elements to provide the required temperature for the particular molding operation performed. Any suitable electrical control circuit and source of electrical supply may be connected to energize the electrical elements.

The press illustrated in the drawings actually includes a pair of hydraulic rams disposed on each side of the lower platen 2G in spaced relation from each other and from the common axis for engagement with a corresponding pair of interconnected arms, and in Fig. 8 there is shown a fluid supply system including a source of hydraulic fluid and an interconnecting conduit feed to each of the hydraulic rams 40. It is seen that the fluid supply reservoir ht) is connected to a suitable compressor or pumping mechanism schematically shown at 92 and to a fluid control mechanism schematically shown at 91. Hydraulic fluid is fed under control to each of the ram cylinders 41. A check valve is schematically shown at 95 to operate in the system to hold the pistons 42 in any desired position within the cylinders 41 and a pressure relief valve 96 may be provided for the by-pass conduit 7 to protect the rams 40 from injury. The fluid system may be disposed in proximity to the press for connection to the rams. Each of the hydraulic rams 40 are connected in parallel across the controlled supply for equal and uniform application of pressure at each ram piston 42 so that uniform pressure is applied from each of the rams 4tl through the corresponding pivoted arms 60 to each of the corners of the upper platen 34) thereby distributing the pressure uniformly throughout the entire area of the upper platen. This uniform distribution is transferred through the assembly to the lower platen 20 when it meets the upper platen, thereby eliminating concentrated pressure areas and reducing the load tensions and stresses in the frame structure.

The upper platen 30 of the press illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings is shown supported by a hoist 100 which may be secured to an overhead frame or crane 101. Thus, the upper platen 3% may be lowered into operative position where the hydraulically operated rams 40 engage the pivoted arms 64? for performing a desired press operation and the upper platen 30 can be removed and lifted upwardly out of engagement with the lower platen 20 after such operation has been performed.

In the event that it is not practicable or feasible to use a hoist on an overhead frame, there has been provided a self-contained hydraulic lift, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings. in this construction, additional cylinders lit) and operable pistons 111 are connected to the common hydraulic supply 90 through suitable hydraulic controls to lift the upper platen 30 from the lower platen 20 without the benefit of an overhead hoist. The cylinders are shown supported on opposite sides of the base 25 and the hydraulically operated pistons 111 are operably disposed within the cylinders and are coupled through suitable connections 112 to extended portions 113 of the upper platen 30. It is seen that the additional hydraulic lift pistons 111 are located in the overall frame structure to supplant the guide rods 50 of the press illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. This selfcontained hydraulic lifting mechanism may be connected in parallel in a manner similar to the hydraulic rams 40 in the same hydraulic supply system with suitable controls depending upon the desired cycle of operations.

In operation, the upper platen 39 of the press is lowered by the overhead hoistltltl or by the self-contained hydraulic lift pistons 111 until the pivoted arms 60 swing under the base 25' to engage the channel members 43 on the ram pistons 42. Hydraulic pressure is then applied through the ram cylinders 41 which drives the pistons 42 downwardly against the cross members 66 etween the parallel connected arms 60 to press these arms and the upper platen 3t? downwardly towards and against the lower platen 20. The electrical thermal units on each of the upper and flower plates may be energized by push-button control before, during, or after the upper platen 30 has moved into engagement with the lower platen in accordance with the molding operation desired. When the operation has been completed, the hydraulic pressure is released from the rams and the hoist or selfcontained hydraulic lift operates to lift the upper platen 30 away from the lower platen 20. As the upper platen 30 is lifted, the pivoted arms 6% are guided upwardly and outwardly in a common plane from opposite sides of the press out of engagement with the channel members 43 along the corresponding cam surfaces 70 on the press until they clear the extremities of the base 25. The press is then in readiness for another cycle of operations.

Thus, the press of this invention embodies an operating construction which uniformly distributes applied hydraulic ram forces through rigid arms at spaced extremities of the mating platens to provide a more uniform and improved press action throughout the entire platen area. The uniformity of distribution of the applied forces in the platens as well as in the frame structure supporting the platens allows a frame and platen construction of interconnected standard structural members, such as steel Lbeams, which are readily available and which may be quickly assembled and disassembled.

I have shown and described What I consider to be the preferred embodiment of my invention along with similar modified forms, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other changes and modifications, particularly with respect to the types of structural members and their assembly in constructing the press, may be made without departing from the scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A press comprising in combination a fixed platen and a movable platen supported on a frame for movement along a common axis towards and away from the fixed platen, a plurality of hydraulically operated ram pistons each operatively supported for movement parallel to the axis at a corresponding corner of a parallelogram disposed in the plane of the platen and at the marginal edges thereof, a plurality of rigid arms each having one end pivotally coupled to a corresponding corner of a parallelogram disposed in the plane of the movable platen for independent movement relative to the platens and the ram pistons, the other end of each arm adapted to be positioned toward and away from a corresponding ram piston on the fixed platen, and means coacting between each arm and piston when positioned adjacent each other to interlock them together for movement as a unit with the movable platen in either direction in response to a corresponding piston movement.

2. In a press having a fixed platen and a movable platen supported on a rigid frame for movement towards and away from said fixed platen along a common axis, the combination of a hydraulically operated ram piston carried by said fixed platen for movement parallel to said axis, a C-shaped member carried by the free end of said piston and having its open side facing away from said axis, an arm pivotally carried at one end by said movable platen and having its other end freely extending towards an inward position adjacent said C-shaped member, means for rotating said arm about its pivot and away from said C-shaped member, said arm having means on said free end adapted to enter the open side of said C-shaped member in the inward position, said means being engaged by the upper leg of said C-shaped member for movement with the piston, whereby said movable platen moves toward said fixed platen in response to the corresponding piston movement.

3. In a press having a fixed platen and a movable platen supported on a frame for movement along a common axis towards and away from said fixed platen, the

6 combination of a hydraulically operated piston carried by said fixed platen for movement parallel to said axis, an arm pivotally carried by said movable platen for rotation away from the common axis, said arm in one position extending in the direction of the common axis and in substantial alignment with said piston, means on said piston for engaging the free end of said arm during piston movement whereby said arm and movable platen are moved along the common axis toward said fixed platen in response to corresponding piston movement, a cam guide carried by the frame intermediate said fixed and movable platens adjacent said arm, a roller member freely supported within a bracket on the arm for engagement with said cam guide to guide said arm outwardly from the common axis and out of engagement with said piston as the movable platen is separated from the fixed platen, and means for separating the movable platen from the fixed platen.

4. A press comprising in combination, a pair of platens each formed from a plurality of interconnected standard structural members to present flat mating surfaces, each of said platens having opposite parallel sides, a plurality of other standard structural members interconnected to form a flat base, one of said platens rigidly secured on said base and having a pair of upstanding guide rods, said other platen movably supported on said guide rods in surmounting relation to said fixed platen for movement towards and away from said fixed platen along a common axis intermediate and parallel with said guide rods to form a vertical frame of interconnected standard structural members, a hydraulic ram piston operatively supported at each corner of said fixed platen for movement parallel to said common axis, a rigid arm pivotally supported at each corresponding corner of said movable platen for rotation away from said axis, each of said arms extending in the vertical position towards and in substantial alignment with a corresponding ram piston, a channel-shaped member carried at the free end of each ram piston and having an open side facing outwardly from said common axis, means on the free end of each arm interlocking within a corresponding channel member in the vertical arm position tomove said movable platen towards said fixed platen in response to corresponding ram piston movement, means for moving said movable platen away from said fixed platen along the common axis, cam means on said fixed platen engaging each of said arms to guide them outwardly about their pivots and out of interlocking engagement with said channel members in response to said movable platen being moved away from said fixed platen, and a controlled source of hydraulic supply for uniformly applying hydraulic pressure to each of said ram pistons.

5. A press comprising in combination a pair of platens having parallel mating surfaces, one of said platens being fixed and the other platen being movable towards and away from said fixed platen along a common axis, means on said fixed platen for guiding the movable platen along the common axis, a plurality of elongated members pivotally carried by said movable platen in spaced relation in the plane of the platen from the axis and from each other at the marginal edges of said platen, each of said members extending freely in the direction of said axis towards said fixed platen, a plurality of hydraulic rams operatively supported on said fixed platen in corresponding spaced relation in the plane of the platen, each of said rams being in substantial alignment with and each having means for engaging the free extended end of a corresponding elongated member, and hydraulic means for moving said rams and elongated members in unison with said movable platen along the common axis towards said fixed platen.

6. A press comprising in combination a pair of platens having parallel mating surfaces, one of said platens being fixed and the other platen being movable towards and away from said fixed platen along a common axis, means on the fixed platen for guiding said movable platen along the axis, a plurality of elongated members pivotally carried by said movable platen in spaced relation in the plane of the platen from the axis and from each other at the marginal edges of said platen, each member extending freely from the movble platen in the direction of said axis towards the fixed platen, a like number of hydraulic rams carired by said fixed platen in corre sponding spaced relation in the plane of the fixed platen, each of said rams being in substantial alignment with and having means for engaging the free extended end ii of a corresponding elongated member, hydraulic means for moving" said rams and elongated members in unison with said movable platen along the common axis towards said fixed platen, other pistons disposed on opposite sides of the common axis on said fixed platen and engaging said movable platen, means for positioning said other pistons in a direction to move said movable platen away from said fixed platen.

7. A press having a fixed platen and a movable platen supported on a frame for movement towards and away 51-,-

from said fixed platen along a common axis, a plurality of hydraulically operated pistons carried by said fixed platen in spaced relation in the plane of said platen from the axis and from each other at the marginal edges of said platen for movement parallel to said axis, a plurality of arms pivotally mounted at one end on said movable platen in corresponding spaced relation at the marginal edges of said movable platen, each arm extending freely in the direction of the common axis towards an inward position in substantial alignment with a corresponding piston, means on each of said pistons for detachably engaging the free ends of the corresponding arms when in the inward position and coacting therewith during piston movement to move said movable platen towards said fixed platen, cam means supported by the fixed platen at the marginal edges thereof and on opposite sides of the common axis intermediate the fixed and movable platens, means carried by the arms at corresponding opposite sides of the axis for engaging said cam means to guide the arms about their respective pivotal connections outwardly from the common axis and out of engagement with the corresponding pistons as the movable platen is moved away from the fixed platen, and means for separating the fixed and movable platens.

8. In a press having a fixed platen and a movable platen supported on a rigid frame for movement towards and away from said fixed platen along a common axis, a plurality of hydraulically operated ram pistons carried by said fixed platen in spaced relation in the plane of the platen from the common axis and from each other, each piston operatively supported within a cylinder for movement parallel to said axis, a plurality of arms pivotally carried by said movable platen at the marginal edges in corresponding spaced relation from each other and from the common axis and each extending freely towards a corresponding piston and adapted to be engaged by such piston for movement therewith parallel to said axis to move the movable platen towards the fixed platen, a hydraulic supply for said ram pistons including a fluid pump, fluid control means and fluid supply and return conduits respectively connecting each of the piston cylinders in parallel relation through said pump and fluid control means to said supply, whereby uniform hydraulic pressure is applied from the supply to each of said pistons in unison consequent upon operation of said control means to supply fluid pressure thereto.

9. In a press, a horizontally disposed fixed platen having vertical guide supports, a movable platen freely supported in a horizontal plane for vertical movement along said guide supports, a plurality of hydraulic rams mounted around the marginal edge of said fixed platen in spaced relation from each other and adapted for movement towards and away from said fixed platen, a plurality of elongated arms each having one end pivotally mounted at the marginal edge of said movable platen in corresponding spaced relation from each other around such marginal edge, and each arm extending freely towards a corresponding hydraulic ram and in substantial alignment therewith, means coacting between each ram and the adjacent free end of the corresponding arm to engage said arms for movement towards and away from said fixed platen with the hydraulic rams, and other means carried by the vertical guide supports adjacent an intermediate portion of each of the elongated arms and adapted to coact therewith to position said arms about their pivots and out of engagement with the corresponding hydraulic ram during movement of said arms away from the fixed platen, and hydraulic means for positioning said rams towards and away from said fixed platen in unison.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 153,981 Powers Aug. 11, 1874 212,823 Stucky Mar. 4, 1879 1,977,423 Blozek et al. Oct. 16, 1934 1,996,772 MacKensie Apr. 9, 1935 2,101,508 Pryale Dec. 7, 1937 2,197,441 Perony Apr. 16, 1940 2,229,845 Pawlowski Oct. 27, 1942 2,363,107 Young Nov. 21, 1944 2,431,943 Land et al. Dec. 2, 1947 2,604,033 Pearce July 22, 1952 OTHER REFERENCES Ser. No. 397,971, Yokogawa (A, P. C.), published May 4, 1943. 

